The Lockyer Valley Regional Council will receive a cash boost as part of the Federal Liberal National Government’s $1.8 billion cash injection for road and community projects through local governments across Australia.
The significant investment will support local jobs and businesses in the Lockyer Valley and boost our struggling economy as a result of drought, bushfire and the impacts of COVID-19.
Federal Member for Wright and Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz said the package included the establishment of a new $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion in Financial Assistance Grant payments.
“We know that local governments are well positioned to quickly deliver projects that will benefit the Lockyer Valley.
“The new program we’re announcing, is based on the highly successful Roads to Recovery program, it will position local councils to deliver priority projects with a focus on upgrades and maintenance to local roads and community infrastructure.
“Under this new program, the Lockyer Valley will receive a further $927,079 in roads funding.
“By making these investments in critical local road infrastructure, we’re supporting local jobs, local businesses and helping our economy in the Lockyer Valley to be stronger on the other side of this pandemic,” Mr Buchholz said.
Local road projects to be delivered under the Program include but are not limited to constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting, and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.
A broad range of community infrastructure projects will be eligible including new or upgraded bicycle and walking paths, community facilities, and picnic shelters and barbeque facilities at parks.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan welcomed the Australian Government’s local government support package and said Council was working closely with Mr Buchholz.
“The announcement of $927,079 from the Federal Government towards the region’s roads will allow us to put the spotlight on road safety across the Lockyer Valley even more.
“As a Council, we are committed to improving our local road network and we extend our thanks to Scott Buchholz and the Federal Government for delivering this much-needed funding and their commitment to keeping our residents safe, both now and in the future.”
“This additional funding boost will allow Council to determine our local priorities throughout the Lockyer Valley and fund them,” Mayor Milligan said.
Mr Buchholz said last financial year, 2019-20 the Australian Government injected $4,673,631 into the Lockyer Valley under the Financial Assistance Grant’s scheme alone.
“We’ve been working with Council to deliver better roads, better infrastructure and more community support, to make the Lockyer a more resilient and better place to live.
“In responding to the various disaster’s our community has confronted, from the drought to the bushfires and now the coronavirus pandemic. We’re providing additional support measures, such as this.
“Our region has been hit hard, but people here are resilient and to assist council in supporting a locally led recovery – we’re bringing forward the next round of assistance payments.
“This is about supporting local jobs, local infrastructure and local businesses.
“I will work closely with the Mayor and Councillors to get projects get underway,” Mr Buchholz said.
Guidelines for the Program will be provided directly to local governments by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Allocations under the Financial Assistance Grant and Local Road and Community Infrastructure programs can be found at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/lrci.
Media Contact:
Mr Buchholz – Scott O’Connell 0413 424 384
Mayor Milligan – (07) 5462 0316
